Normal planting refers to planting in the soil. Hydroponics has several advantages and disadvantages over soil cultivation.

From a food safety perspective, because hydroponics is usually done under good conditions and does not use undesirable herbicides and other harmful substances, it is safer than conventionally grown crops. In addition, even in a bad environment, if the nutrient solution used in hydroponics is contaminated, the growth environment can be easily changed by replacing it with fresh and clean solution. In comparison, in traditional agriculture, it takes a long time to recover. If nuclear or dioxin-like toxins contaminate the soil, recovery can take years or even be impossible. Although hydroponics has its share of microbial concerns, they are less frequent, have fewer accidents, and are easier to control than traditional soil farming. Moreover, the growing environment of soilless culture is often controlled, usually indoors. Crops and vegetables are less susceptible to pests and naturally have less need for pesticides, thus increasing yields.

Advantages:

1. Free from soil pollution. At present, heavy metal point pollution in my country's cultivated soil has exceeded 19% (data from the Ministry of Land and Resources). At the same time, decades of traditional soil cultivation have used many non-degradable pesticides, which has also caused soil pollution.

2. No herbicides. Hydroponic vegetables are grown in the openings of the foam board, leaving no space for weeds to grow, and customers are freed from the worry of using herbicides. Growers also save money on herbicides.

3. Fast growth. The roots of hydroponic vegetables float in the water, there is no resistance to growth, the roots are prosperous, the ability to absorb nutrients is strong, and the crop growth rate exceeds that of soil cultivation.

4. There is little pressure from pests and diseases. The soil is a breeding ground for pests and diseases. Being separated from the soil means less pressure from crop pests and diseases, and the amount of pesticides used is reduced.

5. Save labor force. There is no soil, no need to turn the soil, fertilize or water.

Disadvantages:

1. The initial investment is large. Hydroponic cultivation relies on infrastructure, unlike soil cultivation, which can be achieved by digging a hole. Hydroponic facilities need to be built.

2. High power consumption. Hydroponics requires circulating nutrient solution, and some hydroponics methods, such as fish and vegetable cultivation, also require sufficient oxygenation. All consume electricity.

3. The environment has high humidity. Hydroponics are all done in greenhouses, where the water body is large, evaporation is large, and the greenhouse is humid. Prone to moisture-loving bacterial diseases.

4. The cost is high and sales are difficult. The cost of growing vegetables in water is higher than that of growing vegetables in soil, so the price is also higher. Traditional nutrient solution hydroponics is to mix various chemical fertilizers into water. Consumers have no special preference for this kind of chemical fertilizer vegetables grown in water. At the same time, the price is higher than soil culture vegetables, so it is difficult to sell.

At present, the organic nutrient solution cultivation model of aquaponics has appeared in China. I personally think it is worthy of attention and exploration.